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Saturday Evening Open Thread

Gnarls Barkley is scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza tomorrow.



What makes you crazy?

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    I see where Nancy Grace is (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:31:52 PM EST
    being sued by the family of the young mother whose child went missing and committed suicide after Nancy became overly aggressive in questioning her for TV. The judge said the case had enough substance to move forward.

    I know nothing about the current case (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:54:44 PM EST
    but I happened to see Nancy Grace interview Elizabeth Smart and she was aggressively monstrous.

    Parent
    "Aggressively Monstrous" (none / 0) (#138)
    by daring grace on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 11:09:14 AM EST
    I think that's her middle name.

    Or maybe her job description...

    Parent

    Interestfing from Rasmussen (5.00 / 0) (#8)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:05:03 PM EST
    What do we make of this?  Not just Obama dropping in polls, the party is going with him.

    Rasmussen

    During July, the number of Americans who consider themselves to be Democrats fell two percentage points to 39.2%. That's the first time since January that the number of Democrats has fallen below 41% (see history from January 2004 to present).

    While the number of Democrats declined, there was virtually no change in the number of Republicans. In July, 31.6% said they were Republicans, the fourth straight month that number has been below 31.4% and 31.6%.

    The Democrats now have a 7.6 percentage point advantage over the Republicans, down from a 9.5 percentage point advantage in June and 10.1 percentage points in May.




    Maybe Congress' poor performance (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:15:11 PM EST
    is disillusioning folks with the 2-party system? I kinda feel more like an Independent myself these days. Just a guess.

    Parent
    Irony effect? (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:19:58 PM EST
    I am wondering if the tremendous interest generated by the primaries hasn't caused a significant number of people to pay more close attention to the Dems' disappointing Congressional performance and other disappointing performances than they would have if they had followed a more Kerry-like path.

    Parent
    I hope Pelosi's performance has (5.00 / 0) (#64)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:33:04 PM EST
    gained a wider audience. She deserves the extra attention.

    Parent
    Speaking of Kerry... (5.00 / 0) (#71)
    by Anne on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:38:39 PM EST
    I see that he - for Barack Obama - and Joe Lieberman - for McCain - will be on MTP tomorrow.

    Sure am glad that is one show I no longer watch.

    Lieberman makes me want to throw things.

    Parent

    I think Reid is slightly better than Daschle, (none / 0) (#17)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:24:26 PM EST
    but Pelosi is just unbelievably bad.


    Parent
    We're not winning the White House, they'll lose it (none / 0) (#85)
    by jerry on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:55:14 PM EST
    Given what our Congress has done, nothing, and pretty much how Obama has campaigned (very much on personality, and defensiveness, not near as much on intellect or platform), I'd say that we won't win the White House so much as they'll lose the White House.

    I think both Clinton AND Obama were pretty much leaderless leaders and ran very conservative campaigns.

    Parent

    Do you think obama and the dnc (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:15:58 PM EST
    questionable leadership failed to factor in this scenario?

    Parent
    Sure like to think it was :-) (5.00 / 0) (#32)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:44:13 PM EST
    Absolutely (5.00 / 5) (#40)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:00:42 PM EST
    It's pretty clear that they were depending on his popularity to at least stay at the Feb Obama mania level, if not keep increasing endlessly.

    Parent
    Kind of obvious, IMO (5.00 / 4) (#22)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:27:51 PM EST
    Former Democrats are re-registering as independent or unaffiliated in disgust and protest.

    I think there will be an even bigger number doing so after the convention - that's all I'm waiting for.

    Parent

    I imagine that is a big part of it (5.00 / 0) (#29)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:40:44 PM EST
    We'll know sometime in August or early Sept.  I'm waiting on it to, cause I think it's coming.


    Parent
    I was just trying not to go there. : ) (5.00 / 0) (#33)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:45:54 PM EST
    It does seem obvious because the number surged in January and then receded in July.

    Parent
    Well, that's understandable, but (5.00 / 0) (#48)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:11:36 PM EST
    this is good evidence that PUMAs are real, not Republicans, and of a sizable number.

    Which is what I've always suspected.

    Parent

    Definitely real! (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:31:13 PM EST
    That Repub meme does make me crazy. (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:35:47 PM EST
    It lets me know (none / 0) (#124)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 04:21:55 AM EST
    that the very idea p1sses people off.  While I'd rather they say "Hey, honey.  What's wrong?", I'll settle for the sputter of indignation "T-t-they can't possibly be Democrats!  They must be eeeevil lying Republicans!".

    At least the latter is an admission that we exist.

    Parent

    Probably a combination of folks (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:22:00 PM EST
    who have deliberately disassociated themselves from the party and those for whom the pump-up-the-trend stuff is just fading.  The bloom coming off the rose, so to speak.

    Parent
    Has Obama's voter registration (5.00 / 0) (#80)
    by samanthasmom on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:49:35 PM EST
    drive begun in earnest yet? Because if it has, it would mean that there have been even more Democrats leave the party than those numbers indicate.

    Parent
    It supposedly is here in Florida (5.00 / 0) (#101)
    by Amiss on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:30:03 AM EST
    Was on the news today that he had spent 5 mil here already, more than any other state and that they were doing voter registration drives, believe I even got an email about one in my area.

    Parent
    Amiss....check this article out, written (none / 0) (#113)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:19:01 AM EST
    by a Canadian reporter....my guess is obama will not fare well in FLA.

    link

    Parent

    Pssst (5.00 / 0) (#147)
    by Amiss on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:37:03 PM EST
    I do not think he will either, but the amount of money he is spending here, does tell me something. I dont really think it matters how much he spends in a state, if the people arent for you, they are not gonna be bought by ads.

    Parent
    Amen....Amiss :) (none / 0) (#149)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:35:09 PM EST
    It seems to me that Obama's style (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:30:31 PM EST
    of campaign depends on enthusiastic support.
    People aren't just ho-hum about him, because they think he's so special. How does Obama maintain that  feeling til November?
    McCain doesn't have the same problem, IMO. I don't think his support will flag, even if he's not that exciting, but if Obama's voters become less excited---especially the young ones---they will stay home.

    Parent
    So true. Nobody is all hyped-up (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:47:26 PM EST
    about McCain so no cool-off worries.

    Parent
    Yep, can't remember the last time (none / 0) (#93)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:09:36 AM EST
    someone fainted at a McCain rally.  The vapors have been confined to obama only, which is completely ridiculous imo.

    Parent
    It matters only if you have a 3rd choice (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by ChuckieTomato on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:04:25 PM EST
    Independents could be 50 percent but they must still select a democrat or republican, unless there is a viable alternative.

    I'm guessing most independents still favor democrats on policy, but are having trouble supporting the party's nominee. Democrats could see huge gains in Congress, and lose the Presidential election.

    Parent

    That's what I expect in Nov (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:08:59 PM EST
    Big gains in Congress and President McCain.  I think it's the most likely outcome at this point.

    Parent
    I think that a lot of the (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by samanthasmom on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:01:32 AM EST
    "disaffected Democrats" are concentrating on the convention right now. What their strategy or strategies will be after the convention remains to be seen. There may be a movement to concentrate on giving enough votes to the same third party candidate to help establish that party as a viable third party for the future. I think more of them will leave the top slot blank than will vote for John McCain, which is what makes the "It's a Republican conspiracy" theory off the mark.

    Parent
    Or they will stay home (5.00 / 0) (#143)
    by Valhalla on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:29:31 PM EST
    if neither choice is compelling enough to go to the polls.  

    Parent
    I read somewhere today (none / 0) (#78)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:45:00 PM EST
    (might have been here) that Independents historically are not issues voters.

    Parent
    What makes you crazy? (5.00 / 5) (#9)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:09:03 PM EST
    <rant>

    I'll tell you what makes me crazy.

    It's when people assume that when you say you can't in good conscience vote for Obama they automatically assume you're planning on voting for McCain.

    Pay attention, people - there are other options.

    1. Not voting.
    2. Voting Dem downticket and leaving the pres pick blank.
    3. Write-in.
    4. Third party.

    And don't give me this nonsense about how not voting is the same as voting for McCain. By that logic, not voting is the same as voting for Obama.

    </rant>


    On parr with believing that since McCain is (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by MO Blue on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:26:56 PM EST
    no acceptable as president that somehow Obama become acceptable by default no matter what Obama says or does.

    When neither candidate is acceptable, there are other options. The Dem mantra of THERE IS NO WHERE ELSE TO GO is just another political lie used to manipulate voters into voting against their interests and their values.

    Parent

    you must be careful with (5.00 / 3) (#26)
    by TimNCGuy on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:36:39 PM EST
    the write-in option depending on what state you live in.

    In somes states write-ins are only counted if they are on an absentee ballot.

    In some states write-ins are only counted if the person you write in has registerd as a valid write-in candidate.

    In some states, i was recently told, that a write-in could actually be converted INTO a vote for either Obama or McCain.  I'm not sure how that could happen.  But, they said an invalid write-in for Clinton would be counted for Obama.  THat makes no sense unless somehow they were going to figure you wrotein a dem, so they gave it to the dem candidate.  We know the DNC can do that with delegates, but I had no idea they had figured out how to give gen election votes to Obama that he didn't actually get.

    Parent

    I plan to check before I vote. (none / 0) (#30)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:42:25 PM EST
    Write-in votes (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Amiss on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:44:32 AM EST
    I dont know how to do the fancy link but this should help you out if you are thinking about writing a vote for president in,

    http://www.writehillaryin.com/Write_In_Facts_by_State.html

    FLORIDA
    The Sunshine State
    (...and we beg your pardon, Mr. Dean - Floridians do count.)
    Write-ins are allowed but will not count unless candidate files in advance.
    Per Florida's Division of Elections, there will be a space to write-in Hillary Clinton's name on the ballot.
    Unless the Clinton campaign registers in this state, your write-in vote will be a vote of protest.


    Parent
    I've also read that but (none / 0) (#31)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:43:20 PM EST
    can that really be correct?  Seems like an invalid write-in vote would just be a spoiled ballot and not count for anyone.  But maybe the laws are strange in some states?

    Parent
    They count it for the party nom (none / 0) (#56)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:27:00 PM EST
    in those cases. Not sure what happens with Mickey Mouse. {grin} IIRC, in NY, the vote doesn't count unless the candidate has done the paperwork and it doesn't transfer. There's a Hillary write in site out there that was collecting data on the different state rules. I looked it up here through the NYBOE and also checked the manual on setting the lever machines for write ins, but I'll vote by paper ballot.

    Parent
    I'd bet that... (none / 0) (#91)
    by EL seattle on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:07:39 AM EST
    ... the rules are usually designed to be "bottom-up".  

    No one cares that much how many people write in "Ralph Wiggum for Presidents".  But in a smaller community where write-in campaigns could be effective, it makes sense that the proposed candidate is actually interested in the job.

    And those rules would apply to the big votes on the ballot, too.

    Parent

    Mine would be (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Grace on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:13:29 PM EST
    People who call you a Republican just because you say you will vote for McCain.  Voting for McCain doesn't make you a Republican.  (Voting for Bush makes you a Republican since both Gore and Kerry were perfectly acceptable candidates for the Democratic Party.)  

    Voting for McCain (if you are a Democrat) makes you a mad Democrat -- but still a Democrat.  You can also be a mad Democrat if you:  1) sign petitions; 2) write angry letters to the DNC; 3) withhold donations from the DNC; 4) change your party registration to anything but Democrat but only in the last few months; or 5) vote for anyone other than Obama for President.    

    I hope I explained that right.  ;-)

    Parent

    Sure you can be a Democrat (none / 0) (#121)
    by Faust on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 03:02:31 AM EST
    and vote for McCain.

    Voting for McCain doesn't make you not a democrat. It just makes you someone who wants the white house to be controlled by the GOP for another 4 years. Like Lieberman. He'd still be a "democrat" if it wasn't for Lamont. Calling yourself a democrat doesn't mean jack as the blue dogs show us again and again.

    Hell even Obama isn't much of a democrat sometimes. So go for it. Vote McCain and be a "Democrat."

    Parent

    Faust is limited to 4 comments a day (none / 0) (#122)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 03:06:20 AM EST
    You may not promote John McCain here.

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#123)
    by Faust on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 03:30:04 AM EST
    You so misinterpreted my comment. I suppose I should have been less subtle and said : voting for John McCain makes you an IDIOT. I tried to take a more subtle route. But have it your way.

    Parent
    Echni.....Ditto X Two (none / 0) (#11)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:12:06 PM EST
    Actually that's correct. (none / 0) (#120)
    by Faust on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 02:55:57 AM EST
    Not voting is effectively the same as voting for whoever wins the state in which you vote. So sometimes it's a vote for McCain, and sometimes it's a vote for Obama. Depends on the state.

    It's a form of abstention, an affirmation that you don't care who wins.

    Frankly I view 3rd party votes the same way. If 600 Nader voters had decided to vote for Gore in 2000 the Supreme Court wouldn't have had the opportunity to appoint Bush president.

    Hell, NH was stupidly close as well though no one talks about that.

    Not voting is kinda like voting "present," except it's not even that good.

    Parent

    What makes me crazy? (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:26:08 PM EST
    Migraines.

    I've had this one for 5 days.  Maxalt only works while it's in my system. Once it's gone, the migraine is back.

    Summers are the worst.  Long days and barometric changes are scientifically shown to be problematic for migraineurs.  Many neurologists determine how busy they'll be by looking at the weather report!

    While everyone else is out in the sun, I'm closing blinds and putting my head under covers.

    Oh, to be free of the migraines.

    So sorry for you Teresa (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:38:03 PM EST
    My own crosses to bear are bad teeth, asthma, hypothyroidism and a bad back, but I've always been grateful not to be subject to migraines. It must be awful.

    This is not snark, BTW. I'd trade 20 IQ points for perfect teeth, but I'm grateful I have the health problems I have instead of migraines.<shudder>

    Parent

    My teeth are my achilles... (none / 0) (#132)
    by kdog on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:29:33 AM EST
    heel too...combo of bad genes when it comes to choppers and bad care on my part.

    When they act up I swear I'd rather somebody break my legs with a baseball bat than deal with the teeth aching.  Thank the sun god for street-corner pharmacists...thats all I gotta say.

    Parent

    As I've gotten older, I would have to say (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Anne on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:03:20 PM EST
    that the migraines have gotten less frequent - although abrupt changes in the weather will trigger them still.

    My mother, who also had migraines, also had a drop-off in them as she got older, and now she has only ocular migraines - she has the flashes of light, but no pain.

    I know a couple people who swear they have never even had a garden-variety headache, which is beyond my comprehension.

    Migraines really are a curse - worst thing is to get them when you are someplace like work, and have to make your way home.

    I hope you feel better soon!

    Parent

    Teresa, my gynecologist saved my life...I had (none / 0) (#54)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:23:25 PM EST
    migraines from the time I was a teenager. Over the years, I became convinced that they were related to my hormones. She agreed with me but said that many insurance companies won't pay for hysterectomies because of migraines alone. I had a few other problems so she talked to my insurance company and they agreed to pay.

    Now, I just get mostly sinus headaches. They can hurt as bad as a migraine but they don't affect my vision.

    I used to rub Ben Gay or other really hot sports creme all other my neck and that helped a little. I never had one last five days...I would stick my head in a gas oven!

    Parent

    I suffer from migraines too. (none / 0) (#87)
    by Mari on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:58:25 PM EST
    In the summer, the light is so bright it hurts to be outside. I started a prophylactic medication, a beta-blocker, a few years ago that has helped considerably.

    Parent
    Bio Feedback (none / 0) (#139)
    by squeaky on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 11:21:59 AM EST
    Is worth looking into. It helped me with migraines.

    Parent
    Thanks everyone (none / 0) (#141)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:15:19 PM EST
    for all of your comments.  I appreciate all of them.  I didn't hang around last night because I went immediately off for my Maxalt nap.  But I very much appreciate.

    I'm glad biofeedback helped you, Squeaky. I have actually tried biofeedback, but it didn't work all that well since my migraines are greatly hormonal (which also explains why long days affect them.  Has to do with hormones and circadian rhythms).

    Teresa:  I tried the hyst route (had to for other reasons).  In about 60% of patients it makes matters worse.  Did for me.

    I've also tried beta blockers and had some prohibitive side effects.

    I tried SSRI's, but got restless leg syndrome and quit.

    I read some studies suggesting that CoQ10 and magesium work well, so I take those.  Can't hurt!  I also avoid chocolate, nuts, alcohol, bananas, onions, avocados.

    The only things I haven't tried are the anti-seizure meds (gabapentin, Topamax) because of the scary side effects.  

    I've read about new abortives on the horizon.  I'll have to wait and see how people do on those.  I already feel like enough of a guinea pig with Maxalt.

    Still, I'll get migraines, really long ones in summer.  

    Parent

    The mosquitos are making me crazy (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by stxabuela on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:49:03 PM EST
    We got over 6" of rain from Hurricane Dolly, and now you can't walk outside the door after dark without literally having a cloud of the little blood-suckers attack you.  

    I'm in a drought but mosquitos everywhere. (none / 0) (#41)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:02:09 PM EST
    I use those pellet thingys in my birdbaths, etc. but they must find that teaspoon of water somewhere that I miss. They do love me so maybe all of them in the area find me.

    Parent
    My neighbor told me to try (none / 0) (#61)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:30:23 PM EST
    Had a remedy e-mail or something and they suggest that you spray Listerine in your area where you are and the quitos do not like that. Haven't tried it yet. They have not been too bad this year and we had a lot of rain.

    Parent
    I'll try it(anything)! Thanks! (none / 0) (#75)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:42:08 PM EST
    Come to Denver (none / 0) (#100)
    by echinopsia on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:27:08 AM EST
    We don't have mosquitoes. Or fleas. It's too dry.

    I ran into a woman in Petsmart the other day who was wondering why they don't stock flea shampoo. The clerk and I had a hard time convincing her it's because we don't have fleas in Denver, and all she had to do was wait for her cats' imported fleas to die.

    Parent

    I get crazy when (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by nellre on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:49:11 PM EST
    Having just returned from a day at Sea World...

    People who walk abreast on a narrow walk and you, walking in the other direction, either need to run into them or step off the walkway.

    People who block passageways. They seem to have a knack for finding the best bottlenecks and then morph into corks.

    Huge two passenger strollers with 5 year olds in them.

    Being stuck behind a slow car in the carpool lane.

    And the one we all can agree on: tailgaters.


    And (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by echinopsia on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:30:28 AM EST
    People who stop in any walkway without regard to the people walking behind them. People who stand on bike paths instead of getting off to the side.

    Parent
    What makes me crazy? (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Anne on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:54:34 PM EST
    Should I list by category?

    1. People who drive like maniacs, whipping in and out of lanes, tailgating at high speeds; these are usually the people who always drive in the lane that is ending and expect you to let them in at the head of the line. They're too busy and too special to do otherwise.

    2. If they are also talking on the phone, applying makeup, eating or picking their noses, they really make me crazy.  Once I saw a car in the next lane, ahead of me, driving erratically.  When I came up alongside, I could see it was a woman attempting to drive while changing her baby's diaper - that was back in the day when I was driving a mini-van and had the height to see into people's cars.

    3. People who never take their cell phones away from their ears and carry on loud, personal and embarrassing conversations everywhere they go, including in the library, the grocery store, elevators and public bathrooms.

    4. People who love their precious cars so much they feel the need to take up two parking spaces.

    5. Poor grammar, spelling and punctuation; I especially hate the improper use of the apostrophe.  This probably shows my age, but I don't care.

    6. This political season is all about the crazy, isn't it?  That's a long list, but right at the top are people who think they know what constitutes a "real" Democrat, and who berate, bully and attempt to shame anyone who takes his or her vote seriously enough that the (D) next to the candidate's name is not deemed to be the only criterion for getting it.

    7. People who throw cigarette butts out their car windows; people who litter.

    Okay, so now you know I'm crazy.

    Anne, I am totally with you on every point (5.00 / 0) (#45)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:06:14 PM EST
    and especially no. 5.  Improper use of apostrophes seems to be epidemic!  Some folks at work routinely use it to mean plural, even in communications with clients.  And I see it all over on store signs and stuff, including ones that have been printed professionally.  Errgh!

    I can kind of understand people messing up things like 'its' versus 'it's', but the drive to replace the simple and elegant s to indicate plural with 's absolutely mystifies me.  :(

    Parent

    Double negative (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by ChuckieTomato on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:18:04 PM EST
    I remember when ain't wasn't a word.

    Now it's included in the dictionaries and acceptable for am not, will not, are not, have not. Even in my college composition book it was discouraged, and that was about 12 years ago. Any contraction goes today.

    Parent

    Ooh - forgot another one: (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by Anne on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:27:03 PM EST
    When did people stop saying "he said" and "she said," and start saying "he goes" and she goes?"

    When my kids would do it, I used to say, "where did she go?"  They would give me that look, but it would get their attention.

    Or - they skip the "goes" and say, "well, he was like, so what are you doing? And I was like, oh, nothing."  

    Like fingernails on a chalkboard...

    Parent

    What about the (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by Grace on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:30:58 PM EST
    business e-mails that look like someone let their 10-year old daughter text them in?  

    Emoticons in business correspondence is also a pet peeve of mine.  

    Parent

    Mine is 'gotta' (5.00 / 0) (#65)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:33:39 PM EST
    I really do not like politicians and Presidents saying gotta. What happened to 'have to'?

    Parent
    I'm the opposite... (none / 0) (#133)
    by kdog on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:35:35 AM EST
    people who speak in perfect grammatical english kinda bug me out.  

    It feels fake...where as slang and local vernacular feels genuine.

    Parent

    This is the only one that gets me. (none / 0) (#140)
    by BarnBabe on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 11:47:08 AM EST
    All other slang is ok. Ain't happening is fine. I ain't doing it bugs me a bit as my parents were always getting on me for saying ain't and so it is forever in the brain. If we are slanging it with gotta that is fine. Even got to works. It is just when the President speaks to the world and says gotta, I just wish he would use have to or have got to.

    Parent
    When It Gets To The Point (none / 0) (#142)
    by squeaky on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:18:27 PM EST
    When you are focusing on the perfect english, or slang for that matter, most likely they have stopped saying anything worth listening to.

    Parent
    And, at least 80% of the population (5.00 / 0) (#79)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:46:08 PM EST
    doesn't seem to know that cannot is NEVER TWO WORDS.

    Parent
    Ahem... well.... (none / 0) (#116)
    by NWHiker on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:41:16 AM EST
    I'll use as an excuse that all my education from 3rd grade until my MS was in French but...

    I did not know that.

    From what I can tell, by searching through writing I've done, I seem to have "known" it, and used cannot, but I did not know it was a real rule, vs a "both go, but we prefer cannot", if that makes sense.

    Parent

    whynot? (none / 0) (#125)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 04:34:38 AM EST
    I love "can not".  It gives emphasis to the "not" that "can't" and "cannot" do not.  

    I call it the Data effect.  The Star Trek android character never used a contraction and it gave his speech an interesting flavor.  Try going an hour or even a day without using contractions.  

    Parent

    We call them "apostrophes from hell" n/t (5.00 / 0) (#105)
    by echinopsia on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:39:28 AM EST
    the cell phone thing (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:10:27 PM EST
    People who never take their cell phones away from their ears and carry on loud, personal and embarrassing conversations everywhere they go, including in the library, the grocery store, elevators and public bathrooms.

    Add on airplanes and in other kinds of stores. Makes me absolutely nuts.

    Parent

    The cellphone users in grocery stores, (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Grace on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:27:48 PM EST
    the ones who get in the "10 items or less" line at rush hour, continue the conversation while standing in line, eventually get to the cashier and then continue talking on the cellphone while the cashier yells "PAPER OR PLASTIC?  PAPER OR PLASTIC?" as the 20 people behind them in line all look at each other like "What an idiot!"

    Yeah, I hate those cellphone users.    

    Parent

    They're annoying.... (none / 0) (#134)
    by kdog on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:41:42 AM EST
    and lets not foget all the wanna-be Uhuru's with the bluetooth in their ear like they're communications officers on the Enterprise or something.

    Is it a schizo talking to themsleves or a self-important prick?  So hard to tell from a distance...

    My brother has one in his ear 24/7 and I bust his chops relentlessly.

    And another...people who use debit or credit cards for a cup of coffee, holding up the line at 7-11.  Keep 5 bucks in your pocket will ya please?

    Parent

    I sometimes accidently bump into them. (none / 0) (#144)
    by Valhalla on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:37:16 PM EST
    I've very clumsy.  Or I ask for their help getting my groceries on the little belt.

    Parent
    I'm on board with the apostrophe. (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by caseyOR on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:28:46 PM EST
    I also hate it when people who say "I" when "me" is correct.  Drives me crazy.

    Bad grammar is a sore point. In olden days one could reliably trust that newspapers and magazines would model good grammar. Not anymore. Perhaps my time as a copy editor long ago made me particularly aware, but I find bad grammar annoying. And I hate to be annoyed.

    Parent

    I hate it when people say (none / 0) (#68)
    by Anne on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:36:16 PM EST
    "myself" when they should be saying "me" (or "I," as the case may be), as in "the argument was between myself and Joe."

    I've even heard [shudders] "theirself."  Oof.

    But then, I live in the Baltimore area, and we have some real doozies here.

    Parent

    I'm in Los Angeles where (5.00 / 0) (#84)
    by Grace on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:53:33 PM EST
    many people speak English as a second (or third or fourth or fifth) language so I really can't complain about anything.  If I can understand what they are trying to say, I think they are doing pretty good.

    I do find reading signs out here entertaining.    

    Parent

    As a native Californian, I have seen (none / 0) (#95)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:16:39 AM EST
    the erosion of the English language is worse from those growing up speaking English only.  I am not sure if it is caused by poor education or they are just lazy.  If English is your second language, at least you have a bit of an excuse.

    Parent
    Languages always change. (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by MarkL on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:17:51 AM EST
    You can not do anything about it.
    Irregardless, people continue to communicate.

    Parent
    lol.."noone" will get your joke! That's (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Teresa on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:20:55 AM EST
    one of mine.

    Parent
    irregardless??? (5.00 / 2) (#99)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:21:03 AM EST
    I'd agree with that, for the most part. (none / 0) (#114)
    by Grace on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:19:22 AM EST
    It's the native English speakers who have English speaking parents who do the most to degrade the language.  

    I have a lot of admiration for the kids of non-
    "English as a first language"-speaking parents who grow up with dual languages.

    LA is so complex, I was pained when Obama said "learn Spanish."  Spanish is easy compared to all the languages spoken in my local area.  If I learn Spanish, it won't help me communicate any better with Armenians, Persians, Russians, Koreans, Chinese...  English is the common language and it would be better if everyone spoke it -- but we have to help everyone learn the language.  This requires patience.

    My grammar, spelling and punctuation aren't the best.  My only excuse is that I grew up in the South and my mother was a "dual-language" speaker who was pulled out of school in the 8th grade to go to work.  My mother didn't speak Spanish.  She spoke Portuguese.  She would have jumped on my spelling and grammar if she had known any better (because she jumped on everything else) but she didn't know that I wasn't perfect in "the English language" so she never said anything.  (She went ballistic on anything less than an A in school though -- so perhaps it should be "Shame on my teachers.")  

    Irregardless...  Or nonetheless...  Whatever...  

    I'm not perfect so perhaps it's a good thing that I'm here in LA explaining that that round orange thing is called an "orange" and that that thing on your wrist tells "time."  Oh, and God gave me lots of patience...   ;-)      

    Parent

    Grace....yep, L.A. has quite a diverse (none / 0) (#136)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 10:21:24 AM EST
    group...It is an interesting place!

    Parent
    It depends (none / 0) (#126)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 04:50:37 AM EST
    on how many "designated spaces" there are.

    My main grocery store has more cart corrals than any other store I know.  Go the the hardware store and virtually none.  Even the Whole Foods Market, which has great customer service, only has three cart corrals.

    Once I had kids, I no longer cared how close to the store I parked.  I now park next to, or very close to a cart corral.  That way we neither have to walk in the parking lot nor do I have to leave kids alone to return a cart.

    (When it comes to fatal accidents, vehicle/children accidents are at the top of the list.  One true story: A father and his three year old son were going shopping at the store the mother worked at.  The father parked the vehicle and the minute the vehicle stopped, the boy undid his seatbelt, opened the door and jumped out to run and see his mother.  He was struck and killed by a car.  The father didn't even see it, he was on the other side of the SUV and didn't realize his son was out.  

    Those switches that do not allow the rear doors to be opened from the inside?  They are meant to keep impulsive children safely inside.  They are not effective unless you use them.)

    Parent

    Six year olds with cell phones glued to their (none / 0) (#131)
    by Angel on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:10:59 AM EST
    ears bothers me.  Especially the little girls who wander around Target acting like they're having a conversation but you know that all they are doing is pretending.  What the heck is this all about?  Status?  Ugh.  

    Parent
    China makes me crazy(angry). (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:58:54 PM EST
    I highly recommend Christiane Amanpour's "Buddhas Warriors" on CNN. Thinks it repeats tomorrow night. China should never have gotten the Olympics with their human rights abuse record. I am boycotting even if no one else is. They are trying to exterminate Tibetans and their culture. Their own people have no freedom.  Just unacceptable to me. It also makes me angry that the Chinese basically own us to the point that we can't really deal with them in any effective way.

    What makes me crazy? (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:05:31 PM EST
    Retractable leashes with snarling little dogs on one end and a clueless cell phone chatter on the other. Almost as crazy as the off leash dogs that bolt across the street to "meet" my dog, though their numbers seem to have decreased lately. Who the heck thinks it's a good idea to leave dogs off leash in a city?! Oy. I would feel like total #$%^ if a dog got hit running over to my dog. It absolutely makes me NUTS. Just ask the offending owners, lol!~

    Don't ya'll think Kaine should be picked (5.00 / 0) (#58)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:27:04 PM EST
    as VP because SNL could go crazy with his eyebrow? It's as good a reason to pick him as any reason I've heard for anyone else. Well, maybe not anyone else but c'mon.

    Sure, why not? (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:36:20 PM EST
    At least that's a reason I could get behind.


    Parent
    What's special about his eyebrows (none / 0) (#70)
    by ChuckieTomato on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:37:48 PM EST
    I haven't noticed. Are we talking Lee Marvin eyebrows? I don't get it.

    Parent
    One eyebrow is always raised. (none / 0) (#77)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:44:18 PM EST
    Joan, do you know much about Rep. Cantor (none / 0) (#73)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:41:21 PM EST
    who is in he news tonight about possibly being McCains's VP? We could have both VP's from Virginia.

    Parent
    A complete wingnut (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by andgarden on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:10:55 AM EST
    Cantor is my Rep, which proves (none / 0) (#81)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:49:57 PM EST
    that I live in the reddest district in the Old Dominion. I told all of you that it was beyond weird that this district went overwhelmingly for Obama. Definitely some chaos going on. I don't even know another Democrat.
    As far as him for VP, he would certainly make the conservatives happy. I don't agree with him on anything ever. I will have to check the local blogs for scuttlebutt.

    Parent
    I think he was Delay's whip at some point. (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:52:32 PM EST
    That says it all.

    Parent
    I had to laugh at " I don't even know another (none / 0) (#88)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:58:34 PM EST
    Democrat"! I don't know a lot. I once lived in a really small town in TN in the mountains and I'm sure I was the only Democrat there. During a primary election, I went in to vote and requested a Dem ballot. The lady said, "are you sure? You won't get to vote in any of the races". There wasn't a single Democrat running for any local office! I signed for the Democratic ballot so I could vote in the Senate primary and I was the first name on the list...at 5:00!

    I didn't stay there too long. Here is the article I read on Rep. Cantor.

    Parent

    Lonely, isn't it? (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Joan in VA on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:09:21 AM EST
    I think both the Kaine and Cantor rumors are just to give them some props for being early in their support and they both want VA so paying us some attention. It's kinda exciting being a swing state!


    Parent
    Are you boycotting the Olympics? (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by nycstray on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:55:34 AM EST
    Need something to watch sports/games related?

    Animal Planet will be having the "Puppy Games"! Their "major sporting events" are always good for a smile and a laugh. They also have a very calming effect  ;)

    Good idea. (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by TChris on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:58:25 AM EST
    My dogs would do well in the "power napping" and "rawhide chewing" competitions.

    Parent
    I usually have them on while working (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by nycstray on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:48:54 AM EST
    Puppy Bowl with Kitten half time works great for background while working :)

    My dog will challenge yours in power napping. And issue a water challenge. I've discouraged her gymnastic training though. Spinning the mattress and box spring off the bed is too much work for me. But she's very graceful when flying over the coffee table!  :)

    My nutcase
    who does earn her keep as back support and provides daily laughs  ;)

    Parent

    That is (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by TChris on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:47:02 AM EST
    a great looking dog.  My small dog is white with one black ear and a smattering of black spots on her body.  The black ear is her signature look, like Michael Jackson wearing one glove.

    Parent
    Thanks! (none / 0) (#150)
    by nycstray on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:19:42 AM EST
    She snuck her way into my life when she was part of my shelter pack of "daily dogs for walking" :)

    Is your pup part JRT? I love distinctive markings. Next time you mention them, you should link to a pic {big hint!}

    Parent

    No (none / 0) (#151)
    by TChris on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:00:56 PM EST
    She's a beagle/cocker spaniel mix.  At 13, she's not a pup, but she looks like one and she knows it.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of them on the web.

    Parent
    if you email me one (none / 0) (#152)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:03:18 PM EST
    I'll put it on flickr and put the link here.

    Parent
    My two will also contend for medals in napping. (none / 0) (#118)
    by Teresa on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:56:20 AM EST
    My three year old little girl doggie would win a gold medal in never giving up chasing a ball. We can throw it until she is literally dragging and she just will not give up. My other one just flops in the floor and watches the ball go by when he gets tired.

    I'm so glad you posted this. My dogs go nuts during the Puppy Bowl and we get a kick out of watching them. I'll be sure to check this out.

    Parent

    Ball Chasing (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by nycstray on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 02:32:40 AM EST
    Thankfully Dot alternates her drives. Some days it's ball chasing, others she could care less and would rather walk a few miles. I generally walk her to the park and then I learn if it's a zoomie day, a fetch day or a walk day. Some days she's thrilled with running through basic training in whisper mode. Which works well for me because I like variety also  ;)

    Enjoy the "Games". I just happened to flip over to AP and see the commercial. Puppy play and no mess or sleepless nights!

    Parent

    Nice topic to rant on.... (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by kdog on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 09:07:18 AM EST
    Things that make me crazy....

    human beings in chains and cages.

    war and occupation.

    dealing with govt. bueracracy.

    the law.

    permission slips of all kinds...licenses, permits, prescriptions.

    dealing with corporate bueracracy.

    speed traps, checkpoints, pat downs, cops on the beat, flashing lights, "whoop whoop" police horns.

    senseless hate.

    rats, snitches, stoolies, tattle tales, turnkeys, lackeys, brown nosers, boot lickers.

    political correctness.

    and most of all tyranny and a lack of respect for the sovereignty of the individual.

    Site Questions: (none / 0) (#1)
    by sj on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:26:32 PM EST
    Using Firefox

    1.  Is there anything I can do to show comments in the nested format after comments have been closed?  They all show up flat so it isn't easy to pick out a parent.

    2.  What are hidden comments on this site?


    Go to "your info" and you can (none / 0) (#3)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:53:55 PM EST
    set the comments to always nest (or similar). I'm not sure the purpose of hidden comments.

    Parent
    I meant "your preferences" and (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:55:40 PM EST
    then to "interface". Not with it tonight!

    Parent
    Thanks! (5.00 / 0) (#12)
    by sj on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:12:58 PM EST
    That did the trick.  I had fun playing with my options.  I kind of like dynamic threaded mode, but when I set that the "rate all" button went away.  

    For me, the perfect setting would be "Dynamic Threaded" with radio buttons for ratings with a "none" radio button (because sometimes I click a button when I don't mean to).  

    Jeez.  I need a life.  That was the most fun I had on this beautiful Saturday evening.

    Parent

    hidden comments (none / 0) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:57:44 PM EST
    are a way for site moderators to hide rather than delete comments.  On other sites, "trusted users" can hide comments. I chose not to provide that ability to users. We don't use the feature at all because trusted users would be able to view the hidden comments. If a comment is deemed inappropriate by me, BTD, TChris or our comment moderator WP, it's zapped.

    Parent
    Gnarls Barkley (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 09:55:24 PM EST
    is great, thanks for posting that video TChris, I'm going to download it from iTunes.

    The TL kid and I finally saw Shine a Light today (the Rolling Stones/Scorsese movie) -- it was great.

    I'm not familiar with Gnarls Barkley (none / 0) (#82)
    by jerry on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:52:07 PM EST
    I do like that song, but was there any significance to the costuming?  Was it Star Wars night or do they always dress like that?

    Parent
    MTV Music Awards 2006 (none / 0) (#86)
    by TChris on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:58:19 PM EST
    They don't always dress like that.  Although Chewbacca on drums cracked me up.

    Parent
    I couldn't figure out whose costume was hottest (none / 0) (#103)
    by jerry on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:35:27 AM EST
    And I mean hottest as in temperature.

    All the costumes looked fantastic.  

    Parent

    I did get some discussion of the Pickens (none / 0) (#10)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:11:24 PM EST
    plan last night. I don't know if his proposals are the right ones, but the scale of them is correct, IMO.

    Oh shoot (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:27:21 PM EST
    they were airing the LK with him on it tonight and I watched baseball and forgot! Rats, maybe they'll have it on rotation this weekend and I can perhaps catch it later or tomorrow.

    Parent
    Yankees game? (none / 0) (#25)
    by caseyOR on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:35:12 PM EST
    Were you, perchance, watching the Yankees beat the LA Angels? It's nice to see the old Bronx Bombers on a bit of a roll. I've always been a fan, although, as a native of central Illinois, my first and highest allegiance is to the Cubs.

    This year Yankee success is all the sweeter because Joe Girardi and I come from the same home town. Girardi went to high school with my cousin. It is nice to see a hometown boy doing good.

    And, yeah, my Cubbies won, too.

    Parent

    That was earlier :) (none / 0) (#38)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:57:45 PM EST
    That was a nice game since they've been tanking this past week. I was watching the Mets/Astros and cracking up because they kept talking about Pumas. Big Pumas and little Pumas and even showed Puma signs. After a few innings and a bit of research I figured out it was Berkman. I was watching and editing, so by the time I would hear Puma, I had missed what the heck they were on about.

    I like Girardi. Took a bit of adjustment after so many Torre years, but things seem to be moving forward pretty well. Which reminds me, I need to buy some tickets!

    Parent

    Well I guess you liked it up to the tenth inning. (none / 0) (#55)
    by Rhouse on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:26:31 PM EST
    I can't help it, I'm a Phillies fan since 1964.  I shiver to think they might actually be NL Eastern Division champs two seasons in a row.

    Parent
    Phillies might win NL East, (none / 0) (#66)
    by caseyOR on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:34:17 PM EST
    but this is the year my Cubs GO ALL THE WAY! Since 2008 marks the hundred year anniversary of the Cubs' last World Series win, a World Series victory would be a nice way to mark the occasion.

    Parent
    That would be cool! (none / 0) (#106)
    by nycstray on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:41:15 AM EST
    heck, that would have me watching the post sans "my" teams.

    Parent
    I'm a casual Mets fan (none / 0) (#104)
    by nycstray on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:39:19 AM EST
    I do like it when both teams are doing well, but a Mets loss doesn't ruin my day. And heck, it gives me a better chance of having someone to root for in the post hopefully. One of my good friends is a Mets fan, so we "do" both teams. We're also both former Bay Area girls, so we're used to having 2 baseball and 2 football teams. One fav and one back up, lol!~ This year the season over lap will be nice to keep me from over politicing :)

    Good luck with the Phillies!

    Parent

    Well looky here.....Dr. Ivins was not (none / 0) (#13)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:14:29 PM EST
    what he appeared.

    link

    I may be wrong, but don't therapists have a duty to report a patient if they think they might do harm to someone else?  This woman was so scared of Ivins that she got a restraining order against him.

    I saw in the article (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:23:40 PM EST
    that he took a fatal dose of "Tylonel".  I thought, gee, is that a new drug?

    No, it's just a brilliant media player who can't spell "Tylenol".  

    No, I don't have great spelling, but I would if I published articles!

    Parent

    hmmm maybe tylonel is a generic (none / 0) (#18)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:25:20 PM EST
    form of Tylenol...:)  Really, don't they have proofreaders over there?

    Parent
    acetaminophen (5.00 / 0) (#127)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 05:02:20 AM EST
    It doesn't hurt to learn the generic names of brand name drugs.  It can save you money, especially when former prescription drugs become over the counter drugs.

    Asking media types to spell "acetaminophen" let alone pronounce it is probably expecting too much.

    Parent

    Bad copyediting. n/t (none / 0) (#24)
    by echinopsia on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:31:22 PM EST
    The restraining order was recent (5.00 / 0) (#28)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 10:39:42 PM EST
    The therapist was in court on it last week.

    It's not clear from the article that she knew anything about the anthrax, sounds like she didn't.

    The duty to report depends on state law.  Some states impose a duty, while others depend on liability law -- that is if a therapist fails to report a person who they reasonably think will cause harm to others and others are harmed, then the victims or their survivors can win damages.

    I can't tell from the article when exactly the therapist realized or found out he'd tried to kill people in the past.  It doesn't sound like she knew about the FBI's investigation, it sounds like she went into court on her own for an RO.

    Parent

    Thanks Valhalla.... (none / 0) (#97)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:19:34 AM EST
    Palomino....you have to wonder if we (none / 0) (#137)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 10:25:52 AM EST
    really know anyone anymore...reading about the guy who attacked and beheaded his fellow Greyhound passenger...they could not have been more complimentary about the perpetrator...quiet, nice guy, blah, blah, blah.  Scary world we live in.

    Parent
    What makes me crazy? (none / 0) (#72)
    by samanthasmom on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:38:53 PM EST
    "Irregardless"

    no kidding. And "I could care less" (5.00 / 0) (#76)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:42:38 PM EST
    Well, this doesn't make me (none / 0) (#74)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 11:41:39 PM EST
    crazy, but I've been wondering: now that tben  is gone, who is the most PUMAgenic Obama supporter on here?

    don't go there (5.00 / 0) (#110)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:00:04 AM EST
    calling out other commenters is not appreciated here.

    Parent
    It was rhetorical. Tben was really peerless. (none / 0) (#146)
    by MarkL on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:50:13 PM EST
    I never saw a (5.00 / 0) (#115)
    by Grace on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 01:37:00 AM EST
    post from tben, only a 1 rating.  

    That person is gone?  Really?  There are a few other stealth 1-raters.  Could they all be gone in the near future too?  (That would be cool.)

    Honestly, it would be great it the ratings facility would be disabled unless you want to rate a post a 5.  That would stop most of the frivolous ratings.  You either love the post or you don't rate it at all.  

    There are a lot of posts here that I like:  Some I agree with, some give me a laugh.  I think they are all worth an "Attaboy" which is what the rating system should be used for.  

    Parent

    I have always wanted an 'LOL' rating (5.00 / 0) (#145)
    by Valhalla on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 12:44:55 PM EST
    Something separate from a 5 that says the post was great and made me laugh out loud.

    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 0) (#148)
    by Angel on Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 02:04:51 PM EST